AUGUST’S SIZZLIN’ NEWS FROM HAWAI‘I’S BIG ISLAND
08/07/2009
Come to the Big Island and explore Hawai‘i’s Island of Adventure
Hawai‘i’s Big Island (August 2009) – Hawai‘i’s Big Island is on fire this summer with prime time coverage on top TV shows, not-to-be-missed cultural and food festivals, new opportunities for romance and unbeatable deals on lodging and action. Get the 4-1-1 below:
TV GUIDE
Find Romantic Adventure on Hawai‘i’s Big Island Just Like ABC’s Bachelorette, Jillian Harris! Want to frolic in a secluded waterfall, jump aboard a bluewater-to-black sand ocean rafting ride, soar over Kīlauea volcano on a helicopter? Then afterwards, kick back in a plush Kohala Coast resort, just like Jillian and suitors Ed and Kiptyn in the Bachelorette season finale? Visit abc.go.com/primetime/bachelorette/index?pn=afo for a complete listing of all the sexy activities and luxury resorts involved in this incredible production, Episode 510, which had a record-breaking 11.5 million viewers tuned in to the Island of Hawai‘i, July 27.
Don’t Touch That Dial! Hilton Waikoloa Village and Hawai‘i’s Big Island will co-star on the new VH1 TV program “My Antonio.” Ten episodes of “My Antonio” were filmed at Hilton Waikoloa Village and will premiere on VH1 Aug. 16 at 10 p.m. The ultimate bachelor, Antonio Sabato, Jr., is introduced to 13 beautiful women through a series of adventures that can only happen on the Big Island. Tune in and watch Antonio find his true love on Hawai‘i’s most romantic island, the Big Island! Take a sneak peek at www.vh1.com/shows/my_antonio/series.jhtml
ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTSUpholding the tradition of the famed Waikīkī Beachboys as ambassadors to the ocean, the Nanea Kai Beach Boys at Ocean Sports offer new free and for-purchase ocean adventures along the legendary, scenic shores of ‘Anaeho‘omalu Bay: free stand-up paddle board and snorkel lessons; sea turtle explorer; historic fish pond tour and Hawaiian arts & crafts. Visit www.hawaiioceansports.com or call (808) 886-886-6666, xt. 101 for info. Ocean Sports offers a diversity of Kohala Coast fun, like SCUBA, seasonal whale watching and more.
Blue Sea Cruises has free trips for kids aboard the Spirit of Kona! Up to two children ages 11 or younger ride free, accompanied by parent on the Glass Bottom Dolphin Adventure. Valid Oct. 15-Nov. 30. Call (808) 331-8875, email info@blueseacruisesinc.com or visit www.blueseacruisesinc.com for details.
“Happily Ever After” with a Splash of Dol-Fun! Enjoy a delicious breakfast with your bridal party on the Dolphin Quest Village private lanai at Hilton Waikoloa Village, overlooking the dolphin lagoon, followed by a 30-minute, in-water dolphin encounter program and group photo. Breakfast with the Dolphins Program is available daily; accommodates up to 50 guests, $599 per bridal couple and $269 per additional guest. Contact the Special Events Department at (808) 883-3588 or email mdimartino@dolphinquest.com
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, the official mill and roaster of the Kona Coffee Festival for nine consecutive years (see Events info below), offers a new VIP Tour at the award-winning, family-run plantation in Kaloko. The new tour includes a dramatic stroll through a forest of coffee trees, past exotic fruit orchards, and expansive lava tubes. Cute farm critters abound. It ends with you learning what it takes to make your own pound of 100 percent Kona coffee with your own custom label, to take home. Visit www.mountainthunder.com for info.
Looking for more to do? Click bigisland.org/calendar for detailed information about additional Hawai’i Island events, and don’t miss these VERY special events:
39th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Nov. 6-15. Learn firsthand what distinctive characteristics define gourmet Kona coffee from a panel of international cupping judges when the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition makes its annual appearance Nov. 11 & 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Keauhou Beach Resort. The Kona Coffee Cupping Competition is a signature event of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Visit Hawai‘i’s oldest food festival. More than 50 events celebrate Kona’s cultural heritage and recognize the accomplishments of Kona’s coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans. To see the complete schedule of events, go to www.konacoffeefest.com. And for discount festival room rates, see the Accommodations section below.
No GPS needed. Follow the stars to the Second Annual Hilo Wayfinding Festival, hosted by ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i, Oct. 16-18. People first came to Hawai‘i 1,500-2,000 years ago, using celestial navigation as their guide. Highly acclaimed navigators, including Nainoa Thompson of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and others are involved and will lead panel discussions and workshops during the event. ‘Imiloa explores the stars through the lenses of both Hawaiian culture and
astronomy. For details visit www.imiloahawaii.org.
Join park staff and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on a free walking tour of ‘Āinahou Ranch House at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Oct. 6. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, walk the ornamental gardens beneath majestic cork oak and find out how an eruption resulted in the park’s acquisition of this 6,324-acre ‘ōhi‘a woodland. Meet at Mauna Ulu parking lot 20 minutes before the tour start time. www.nps.gov/havo.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Keauhou Beach Resort has brewed up an irresistible room rate to celebrate the coffee-laced events at the 39th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Nov 6-15. Oceanview rooms are only $119/night AND include breakfast! Keauhou Beach Resort is the host hotel for the famous fest. Book today, and request the special KCCF rate; call toll-free 1 (877) 532-8468 or (808) 324-2515, weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. HST.
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i has added a beautiful new gazebo to its list of romantic offerings at the luxury AAA Four Diamond Kohala Coast resort (and recently co-starred in ABC’s The Bachelorette!). The 20- x 20-foot gazebo is situated at Turtle Pointe on a grassy knoll overlooking the Pacific Ocean and provides a picturesque setting for brides and grooms as well as couples interested in an intimate, romantic setting for a sunset dinner. To book your wedding or romantic getaway, visit www.fairmont.com/orchid or call (800) 845-9905.
Royal Kona Resort has a brand new Romance Center with on-site wedding coordinators to assist couples with all aspects of event planning. Royal Kona offers the ultimate paradise wedding setting with outdoor venues just steps from Kailua Bay, where black lava rock drops into a perfect blue ocean, and the sun sets elegantly year-round. Choose from pre-set packages designed to ensure a perfect wedding celebration or customize your own event. Call (808) 930-3243 or visit www.RoyalWeddingsHawaii.com
Discover Hawai‘i’s Big Island for far less than you imagined at Castle Resorts & Hotels. Whether it’s an oceanfront condo in Kona, luxurious villas in Waikoloa, a quaint lodge in the cowboy town of Waimea or the full-service Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Castle offers the best locations to discover island treasures. Enjoy 50 percent off with Castle’s WonderFALL Savings. Rates start at just $89 per night, valid until Dec. 21. Call (800) 367-5004 or visit www.CastleResorts.com.
“Fall for Aston” and enjoy a savings of up to 45 percent off the best daily rate at any of Aston’s 25 condominium resort and hotel properties. Starting Fall for Aston promotion rates at Big Island properties are Aston Shores at Waikoloa (one-bedroom deluxe), $166/night; Aston Kona by the Sea (one-bedroom oceanfront), $169/night. Rates valid for travel Aug. 24 — Dec. 21, blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Visit www.AstonHotels.com or call (866) 774-2924.
Sheraton Keauhou Bay is extending its Kama‘āina discount (Hawai‘i residents only) to ALL bookings through Dec. 25. Booking must be made by Aug. 26 and must be prepaid. Rates begin at just $129, partial ocean view, and include free self-parking. This limited-time offer means that you could soon be watching graceful manta ray as they dance their nightly water ballet just offshore as you sip a delicious sunset mai tai from Sheraton’s oceanfront Crystal Blue Lounge. www.SheratonKeauhou.com (Blackout dates & some restrictions apply).
Teeing up on the Big Island of Hawai‘i has never been easier with Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa’s Great Golf Getaway Package. Enjoy deluxe accommodations for two in contemporary guestrooms and your choice of daily golfing for two at the Beach Course at Waikoloa or Waikoloa’s classic Kings’ Course. Rates start from $324 per room, per night. Valid through Dec. 24. Subject to availability, restrictions may apply. For information, visit www.waikoloamarriott.com.
Kona Village’s children’s program, complimentary for ages 5 to 12, has been recognized by travel guru Peter Greenberg as one of the best in the nation. The resort was listed recently on Travel+Leisure’s Top 25 Best Hotels in Hawai‘i and has received a 3 Leaf-Eco Rating from IStayGreen.org. As if these weren’t reason enough to book your own thatched-roof bungalow, Hawai‘i’s only almost-all-inclusive resort will apply an $800 airfare credit to qualified bookings upon departure through Dec. 19. Offer includes a category upgrade. Hawai‘i revealed at www.KonaVillage.com
Outrigger Condominium Collection, together with Ruth’s Chris Steak House, invites guests to enjoy their Big Island vacation “one bite at a time.” Outrigger guests staying at the Outrigger Fairways Villas, Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona and Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff receive at check-in a coupon worth $25 off at Ruth’s Chris Steak House at the Shops at Mauna Lani, with the purchase of two dinner entrees. Valid through Dec. 15. To book an Outrigger Condominium Collection property, visit www.outriggercondos.com.
Save and Save Again! Save 30 percent when you stay in a fabulous, newly renovated room at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, and then save 20 percent off a Volcano Helicopter Tour. View the intense colors and landscape of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as lush rainforest gives way to miles of black lava fields, and molten magma pours into the sea — the “newest place” on earth. Return to relax in your brand new room and enjoy Kona’s only white sand beach. Visit www.konabeachhotel.com
Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai‘i such as Kīlauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.
For BIVB’s press kit, photo gallery, press releases and industry news, visit http://media.bigisland.org
Big Island Visitors Bureau Media Contact:
Jessica Ferracane, Irondog Communications, (808) 895-5740, jessica@irondogpr.com
